Centrifugal molding machine



March 8, 1927.

Filed 0c 31, 1925 flsheets-s heet 1 Iv L 1 March 8, 1927. W. BEATTY CENTRIFUGAL MOLDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inc/(272267; wzzvz/ffiea/lf Filed Oct. 31, 1925 March 8,1927.

W. H. BEATTY CENTRIFUGAL MOLDING MACHINE Filed 001:. 31, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 8, 192?.

A UNITED STATES 1,620,427 PATENT- OFFICE- WILLIAM H. BEATTY, OI BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOB TO JAMES B. GLOW 8c SONS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CEN'IRIFUGAL MOLDING MACHINE.

- This invention relates to the art of making meta} castings, and has reference more particularly to a new and improved apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies. In the exemplification of the invention herein shown and described, the apparatus is designed to effect the casting of iron piple:1 sections in a centrifugally operated mo The more important objects of the present invention are, to provide in a molding machine of the centrlfugal type improved means for mounting and supporting the mold in position to receive the charge of molten metal and, when rotated, to distribute the metalover the sand'lining of the mold, to provide improved anti friction bearings for the ends of the mold facilitating the rapid rotation of the latter with a minimum of power and friction, to'provide an improved two-part holder or carrier for the mold with means for clamping the same tightly on the mold prior to: the casting operation and with means for expanding and openingthe same after the casting operation to facilitate the ready withdrawal of the mold, to pro vide improved fluid pressure operating mechanism for the mold clamping mechanism, to provide an improved power drive for rotating the mold, to provide an improved tilting frame and operating mechanism therefor by which the mold may be shifted between an inclined pouring position and a horizontalmolding position, and

to provide an improved sand ramming device for the mold.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled'in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated one practical and approved embodiment of the principle of the invention, and in Which Fig.1 is a top plan view,,partly' in horizontal section onthe line 11 of Fig. 8, of the complete machine; Fig. 2 is an end elevation, viewed from the upper end of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertiizal section. on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; v A

Fig.4 is a detail side elevation, partly broken out, of one end of thelongitudinally Application filed October 31, 1925. Serial in. 65,920.

split mold carrier and the clamping. and spreading means therefor;

Fig. 5 isa central vertical transverse section taken on theline 5-5 of Fig. 1, in the axial plane of the mold;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the mold in-a different plane from that ofFig. 5 and showing a pipe pattern therein and a sandramming device;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of Fig. 6, viewed from the right of the latter figure;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the complete machine, 'viewed from the left of Fig.1, and showing the valve chest in vertical section; and

Fig. 9 is a verticalsectionthrough the 'valve chest in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, 10 and 11 designate a pair of pedestals formed in their upper ends with bearings to journal the stub shafts 12 extending from opposite sides of ing feet 17 of a pair of parallel vertically disposed ring-shapedframes 18 (Fig. 5). In the operation of the machine these frames are shifted toward and from each other, and

to prevent canting and sticking and maintain their parallelism during the shifting movements, a pair of auxiliary guides in the form of long rods 19 are extended through registerin holes 'in the base portions of the frames an equipped on their outer ends with nuts 20 which form adjustable stops limiting the outward or separating movement of the frames.

Mounted in each. of the ring frames 18, preferably by threaded connection as shown in Fig. 5, is the outer ring 21 of an antifriction bearing, said ring being formed on its inner periphery with a raceway 22 for a grou of'balls 23. 24 designates the inner ring 0 the bearing formed on its outerperiphery with a raceway 25 for the balls 23. The inner periphery of the ring 24 is countersunk on its inner face, as shownat 24 in 'Figs. 4 and 5, and tightly fitted within said ring is an inwardly projecting annular member 26 that is'formed with a reduced outer portion fitting the inner periphery of the ring 24 and a shoulder 27 fitting the countersink 24 of the latter. On the inner surface of the annular member 26 is an annular cam 28, and beyond the foot of said cam are a pair of diametrically opposed wedges 29 (Fig. 1), one of which is clearly shown in cross-sectional detail in Fig. 4.

Within the annular members 26 is supported a longitudinally split or two-part mold carrier or clamp comprising a pair of upper and lower substantially semi-cylindrical sections 30, the longitudinal edges of which do not meet but are separated by narrow spaces as clearly shown in Fig. 3. On the end portions of the sections 30 are formed substantially semi-circular cams 31, the inclined faces of which are slidably engaged by the cams 28, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. From the foregoing it will be seen'that inward movement of the ring frames 18 will effect a powerful compressing or clamping action on the two sections 30 of the mold carrier; while an outward or separating travel of the ring frames will force the wedges 29 between the adjacent ends .of the semi-circular cams 31, thus spreading the sections 30 of the mold carrier, and releasing the mold.

The mold flask as herein shown comprises an inner cylinder 32, preferably slightly tapered as shown, and having a plurality of perforations 33 distributed over the body of the same and forming vent holes for the gases and steam generated during a casting operation, an outer or enclosing cylinder 34 preferably of uniform diameter, a central spacing ring connecting thecylinders 32 and 34 by rivets 36 (Fig. 1), and end spacing rings 37 and 38. By reference to Fig. 6 it will be observed that the interme diate and end rings are formed with a circular series of holes 39 therethrough by which the steam and gases passing into the space between the two cylinders are vented to. the atmosphere. In one end of the flask cylinder 32 is fitted a sand-surfaced core 40 suitably shaped to fit the bell-shaped end of a pipe pattern P (Fig. 6), and in the opposite end is fitted a sand-faced core 41 suitably shaped to form the other flanged end of the pipe casting, and also formed with a centralopen ng to accommodate a-nozzle N in the pouring operation, as shown in Fig. 5. The core pieces 40 and 41 are removably locked in plizce by keys 42, as clearly shown in Describing next the pneumatically operated mechanism for clamping and releasing the mold, mounted on the platform 19 on opposite sides of the mold holder or carrier are a pair of fixed cylinders 43 (Fig. 1). In each of these cylinders is a pair of oppositely facing pistons 44 on the inner ends of outwardly extending piston rods 45 that '44 by upstanding branches 56 (Fig. 8).

are cbnnected at their outer ends by studs 46 to diametrically opposite points on the outer peripheries of the ring-shaped frames 18. Compressed air may be simultaneously admitted to the spaces between these pistons and exhausted from the spaces on the outer sides of the pistons, or vice versa, by any suitable or approved mechanism ,for supplying and controlling the air; that herein shown for purposes of illustration comprising the following.

47 designates as an entirety a rectangular valve chest mounted by supports-48 on the platform 13. Through the bottom of this chest is a central supply port 49 (Fig. 9) with which communicates a supply pipe 50 from a source of compressed air or other fluid under pressure, and on either side of the central port 49 are ports 51 and 51. The port 51 communicates with a pipe 52 which, through branches 53 and 54 supplies the fluid pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinders 43. The port 51 communicates with a pipe 55 which extends beneath the cylinders 43 and communicates with the latter centrally thereof and between the pistons On the ported base of the valve chest is a slide valve 57 which may be manually actuated by means of a rock-shaft 58 journaled in a side wall of the chest, a depending arm 59 on said shaft engaged with a notch 60 in the slide valve, and a crank arm 61 on the outer end of the rock-shaft. In the' top wall of the valve chest is a vent pipe 62. This type of distribution valve is old and wellknown, and manifestly serves to alternately connect the supply port 59 withone of the distribution ports 51 and 51, simultaneously venting the other. i

The mechanism for rotating the mold as herein shown comprises an electric motor 63 mounted on an extension 13 of the platform 13, a direct driven pulley 64 on the armature shaft of the motor, and a belt 65 driving a pulley 66 fast on one of the annular mold-clamping members 26. By this mechanism a very rapid rotary movement may be imparted to the mold to secure the centrifugal flow of the molten metal in the latter in the formation of the casting.

\Vhen pouring the metal into the mold, the latter is slightly tilted. as shown in Fig. 5. The instant the pouring is completed, the mold is brought to horizontal position as the rotation thereof begins. Any suitable means may be employed to effect the rocking or tilting of the platform 13, but I prefer to use the self-locking mechanism herein shown, the same comprising a worm gear 67 (Fig. 2) fast onone of the stub shafts 12 of the platform. a worm 68 fast on a shaft 69 meshing with and driving the worm gear 67, and a hand crank 70 on the outer end of the shaft 69. A few turns of the crank 70 tilts or levels the platform and mold and by reason of "the worm gear drive, the parts are self-locked in both positions.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated an improvement in the nature of a device for forming the sand lining L of the mold flask.- In these views, the pipe pattern P is entered in the flask and rests as shown at C, upon a pattern D, shaped to correctly form the sand at this end for the production of the bell-shaped end of the pipe when cast. The pattern D may preferably be provided with a centering ring E whereby the pipe pattern P is aligned. It will be understood that the flask, during the positioning and mold making operations, is stood on end in an upright position, i. e. the lefthand end of the device of Fig. 6 rests upon the floor and the whole flask and its parts rest vertically thereon. The pattern P at its upper end is supported by and within a .oircular group of fingers 71 that project in wardly from a circular spider 72 that fits within the end of the outer mold cylinder 34. A pair of long U-shaped rods 73 disposed in planes at rightangles to each other are welded or otherwise united at the intersection of their closed ends, thereby forming a four-limbed ram adapted to enter the annular space between the flask cylinder 32 and the pattern P. On the inner free end of each limb of the ram is mounted an arcuate foot 74; the several feet 74 being slightly less than 90 long, so that there is a slight space between their proximate ends, as shown in Fig. 7. These feet 74 are thick enough to approximately fill the space between the pattern and the mold flask. In sand-lining the flask, the spider 72 is first placed on the skeleton body of the ram by spreading the limbs 73 of the latter sufficiently to pass the feet 74 through the quadrant spaces between the arms of the spider. The feet- 74 are then 'entered through the open end'of the flask into sliding engagement with the pattern P, which' serves to center the unsupported end of the pattern.

The spider 72 is then fitted into the open end' of the outer cylinder 34, which brings the free end of the fingers 71 into supporting relationto the adjacent end of the pattern. The mold then being supported in up- .right position, sand is poured into the space between the flask 32 and the pattern andthe ram is reciprocated. Thesand finds its way between the feet 74, and is gradually rammed and packed until the complete lining has been formed to a point level with the end of the pattern. The. ram, spider and the pattern P are then withdrawn upwardly out of the mold and the mold is liftedvertically to clear "the pattern P. The core 40 is then put in place and locked in position by the keys 42, and as the core 41 is inserted and locked in position by the keys 42, alias shown in Fig. 5, the flask is positioned in the casting machine-for the casting operation. I 4

The mold having thus been prepared for the casting operation, it is inserted endwise between the two halyes of the clamping cylinder 30, these latter having previously been spread bythe wedges29, for which latter purpose the fluid pressuremedium has been admitted between the clamp-actuating pistons 44 by the described valve mechanism. This having been done, the valve mechanism is reversed and'the fluid pressure medium is admitted to the outer sides of the pistons 44, thereby drawing the ring frames 18 toward each other, retracting the wedges 29, and simultaneously through the co-operative action' of the cams 28 and 31, exerting a powerful clamping or squeezing action on the two halves of the mold carrier cylinder 30, by which the mold issecurely held. 2 By manual manipulation of the crank 70, the platform and mold are tilted to approximately the position shown in Fig. 5, the pouring nozzle N is entered through the elevated end of the mold, as shown in Fig. 5, and the molten metal is rapidly poured, to the required amount, into the mold. The nozzle is thereupon withdrawn, the platform and mold returned to horizontal position, and power from the motor 63 is applied to rapidly rotate the mold and distribute the molten metal by centrifugal action over the sand-lining of the flask, on which latter it gradually cools and ultimately forms the pipe casting shown at C in Fig. 1. The cams 28 and 30 not only serve to exert a powerful clamping or gripping action on the mold, but said cams at one end also constitute a frictioniclutch and drive. After the casting operation is completed, the distributing valve is reversed, the ring frames 18 are spread, the mold clamp 30 is opened up by the spreading action of the wedges 29, and the mold is readily withdrawn, the casting removed therefrom, and the mold re-dressed for another casting operation.

It is believed that the structural features,

mode of manipulation, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons familiar with the'art from the foregoing, without further detailed description. It will be noted that all of the mechanism except the platform tilting mechanism, is mounted upon and carried by'the tilting platform itself, so that no objectionable strains are imposed on the mechanism when the platform is rocked. It will also be observed that the bearings within the ring frames 18 constitute not only anti-friction bearings for the rotative movement of 'the' mold but also act as thrust bearings transmitting the sidewise movement of the ring frames to the mold-clamping mechanism.-

While I have herein shown and described v tuated by for purposes of illustration ones practical embodiment of the principle of the invention, it should be understood that many of the structural details may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. Hence, I do not limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown, but reserve all such variations, modifications and mechanical equivalents as fall within the spirit and pended claims.

I claim- 1 1. In an apparatus for centrifugally casting molten, metal bodies, the combination of a mold, a transversely compressible mold carrier embracing said mold, bearings in which said carrier is journaled, means for shifting said bearings toward and from each other, and means for compressing said carrier on said mold actuated by a hifting movement of said bearings in one direction.

2. In an apparatus for centrifugally casting molten metal bodies, the combination of a mold, a transversely compressible mold carrier embracing said mold, bearings in' which said carrier is journaled, means for shifting said'bearings toward and from each other, means for compressing said carrier on said mold actuated by a shifting movement of sad hearings in one direction, and "means for expanding said carrier actuated by a shifting movement of said bearings in the opposite direction.-

3. In an apparatus for centrifugal casting molten metal bodies, the combination of a mold, a longitudinally divided cylindrical mold carrier embracing said mold,

bearings 1n which said carrier is journaled,

means for shifting said bearings toward and from each other, and cam means for conipresslng said carrier on said mold actuated y a shlftlng'movement of said hearings in one direction.

4. In an apparatus for centrifugallycasting molten metal bodies, the combination of a mold, alongrtudinally divided cylindrical mold carrier embracing 1n-wh1ch said carrier is journaled' atits end means forfshiftin said hearings towar and from each; ot er, cam means for compressing said carrier on said mold ace means for ing movement of said bearin s in the o oslte direction. g Pp 7 5. In an apparatus for centrifugally casting molten metal he combmation of a cylmdrical mold, a- 1ong1tud 11 1di id ed c lindrical mold carrier embracing said mol hearings in which said carrier is journaled at its ends, means for shifting said purview of the apsaid mold, bearingsa shifting movement of said bear-- ngs 1n one d rection, and we ,expandmg'smd carrier actuate by a shiftbearings serving to compress said carrier on said moldwhen said bearings are shifted In one direction.

6. In an apparatus for centrifugally casting molten metal bodies, the combination of a c lindrical mold, a longitudinally divided cylindrical mold carrier embracing said mold, hearings in which said carrier is journaled at its ends, means for shifting said bearings toward and from each other, cooperating cams on said carrier and said bearings servmg to compress said carrier on sa1d mold when said bearings are shifted in one direction, and wedges carried by said bearings servlng to expand said carrier when said bearings are shifted in the opposite direction.

7. In a centrifugal pipe casting'apparatus, the'combination of a, pivoted platform, a pair of ring frames mounted in Ways on said platform to slide toward and from each other, anti-friction bearings mounted in said ring frames, inwardly projecting annular members carried by the inner rings of said anti-friction bearings and formed with annular cams on their inner peripheries, a cylindrical mold, a longitudinally divided cylindrical mold carrier embracing said mold and formed on its ends with substantially semi-circular .cams co-operating with the cams of said annular members, and means for simultaneously shifting said ring frames toward or from each other. I

'8. In a centrifugal pipe casting apparatus, the combination of a pivoted platform, a pair of ringframes mounted in wayson said platform to slide toward and from each other, anti-friction bearings mounted in said ring frames, inwardly projecting annular members carried by the inner rings of said anti-friction bearings and formed with annular cams on their inner peripheries and with outwardly pointed wedges beyond said cams, a cylindrical mold, a longitudinally divided cylindrical mold carrier embracing said mold and formed onits ends with substantially semi-circular cams co-operati-ng with the cams of said annular members and adapted to be separated by said wedges, and means for simultaneously shifting said ring frames toward or from each other whereby to clamp or release said mold.

9. In a centrifugal pipe casting apparatus, the combination of a; platform, a pair of frames mounted in ways on said platform to slide toward and from each other, a mold, mold-clamping mechanism journaled in and between frames and operated to clamp or release said mold by simultaneous sid ewise movements of said frames, and fluid ressure operated mechanism for movlng mes. 10. It; a centrifugal pipe casting apparatus, the combination of a pivoted platform, a

pair of frames mounted in ways. on said S platform to slide toward and from each other, a mold, mold-clamping mechanism journaled in and between said frames and operated to clamp orrelease said mold by simultaneous sidewise movements of said frames, and fluid pressure operated mechanism for moving said frames also mounted on said platform. a

11. In a centrifugal pipe casting ap' aratus, the combination of a pivoted plat orm, a pair of frames mounted in ways on said platform to slide toward and from each other,s a mold, mold-clamping mechanism journaled in, and between said frames and operated to clamp or release said mold by simultaneous sidewise movements of said frames, fluid pressure operated mechanism for moving said frames mounted on said platform, and a motor and transmission mechanism therefrom to said mo'ld-clampin' mechanism for rotating the latter and mi mold also mounted on said platform.

sidewise movements of said frames toward each other and to release said mold by simultaneous sidewlse movements from each other, a pair of cylinders mounted on said platform on opposite sides respectively of said Y mold-clamping mechanism, a pair of pistons in each of said cylinders having piston rods connected to said frames, and valve-controlled means for simultaneously supplying fluid pressure to one side of said pistons and exhausting 'it from the other.

In witness of the foregoing I aifix mysignature.

' ILLIAM H. BEATTYO 

